The main places to buy a tablet

You can buy a tablet from five types of retailers: big-box electronics stores, online marketplaces, manufacturer websites, carrier stores, and smaller retailers. Each has different prices, return policies, and what comes in the box. The cheapest option is not always the best one if the return window is short or the warranty is weak.

Big-box stores like Best Buy and Costco let you hold the tablet before you buy it and return it within 15 to 30 days if it does not work for you. Online marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart.com often have lower prices but charge for shipping unless you pay for membership. Manufacturer websites — Apple, Samsung, Lenovo — sell directly and sometimes bundle accessories or offer trade-in credit. Carrier stores like Verizon and AT&T sell tablets with cellular plans built in, which costs more per month but means you do not need a separate data plan.

Key Takeaways

  • Best Buy and Costco let you return tablets within 15 to 30 days, while Amazon and Walmart.com often have shorter windows or charge restocking fees.
  • Manufacturer websites like Apple.com and Samsung.com sometimes offer trade-in credit or bundle cases and chargers, lowering your real cost.
  • Carrier stores sell tablets with cellular data plans, which adds $10 to $30 per month but means you do not need a separate wireless contract.
  • Refurbished tablets from manufacturer websites or Best Buy cost 20 to 40 percent less than new ones and come with the same warranty.
  • Price varies by store and by week, so checking three retailers before you buy can save $50 to $150 on the same model.

Big-box electronics stores: Best Buy and Costco

Best Buy carries tablets from Apple, Samsung, Amazon, and Lenovo in stock at most locations. You can walk in, hold the device, ask questions, and leave with it the same day. Best Buy's return window is 15 days for most tablets, and 30 days if you have a Best Buy credit card or membership. If you return it, Best Buy charges a 15 percent restocking fee unless the tablet is defective.

Costco sells fewer tablet models — usually Apple iPads and Samsung Galaxy Tabs — but prices are often $30 to $80 lower than Best Buy for the same device. Costco's return window is 90 days, the longest of any major retailer. You must have a Costco membership, which costs $60 per year for the basic tier. If you plan to buy a tablet and return it if it does not suit you, Costco's longer window and no restocking fee make it worth the membership cost.

Online marketplaces: Amazon, Walmart, and eBay

Amazon and Walmart.com stock tablets from all major brands and often undercut Best Buy by $20 to $100 on the same model. Amazon Prime members get free two-day shipping; non-members pay $5 to $15 per order. The return window is 30 days, but Amazon charges a 15 percent restocking fee on tablets unless they arrive defective or you cancel within 30 minutes of ordering.

Walmart.com has similar pricing and a 30-day return window, but does not charge a restocking fee. Shipping is free on orders over $35 if you do not have Walmart+. eBay lets you buy from individual sellers and sometimes has older models at steep discounts, but return policies vary by seller and you have less protection if something goes wrong. Check the seller's rating and return policy before you bid or buy.

Manufacturer websites: Apple, Samsung, and Lenovo

Apple.com, Samsung.com, and Lenovo.com sell tablets directly and sometimes offer deals you will not find elsewhere. Apple often bundles a free case or charger with iPad purchases during sales events. Samsung sometimes offers $50 to $150 trade-in credit if you send in an old tablet. Lenovo frequently discounts tablets by 20 to 30 percent on its website before they go on sale at other retailers.

Manufacturer websites have 14 to 30-day return windows, depending on the brand. They also sell refurbished tablets — devices that were returned, tested, and repackaged — at 20 to 40 percent off the new price. Refurbished tablets come with the same one-year warranty as new ones. If you are willing to buy refurbished, a manufacturer website is often the cheapest place to start.

Carrier stores: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile

Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile sell tablets with built-in cellular plans. You pay for the tablet upfront or in monthly installments, then add a data plan that costs $10 to $30 per month. This route makes sense if you want mobile data everywhere and do not want to manage a separate wireless account. It does not make sense if you only use Wi-Fi or already have a phone plan with extra data.

Carrier stores have 14-day return windows, shorter than most other retailers. They also lock the tablet to their network, meaning you cannot switch carriers without paying an unlocking fee or waiting out a contract. Prices at carrier stores are usually $50 to $150 higher than the same tablet at Best Buy or online, because the carrier subsidizes the device in exchange for the monthly plan commitment.

Refurbished and open-box tablets

Refurbished tablets are devices that were returned, tested, cleaned, and repackaged by the manufacturer or a certified reseller. They work like new and come with the same one-year warranty. Prices are 20 to 40 percent lower than new tablets. Best Buy, manufacturer websites, and Amazon all sell refurbished tablets in a separate section — look for the word "refurbished" in the product title.

Open-box tablets are returned items that were opened but not used, or used very lightly. Best Buy and other retailers sell these at 10 to 25 percent off, but the warranty may be shorter or missing. Open-box tablets are riskier than refurbished ones because they have not been tested as thoroughly. If you buy open-box, make sure the return window is at least 15 days in case something is wrong.

Comparing prices and timing your purchase

Tablet prices drop during back-to-school season (July to September), Black Friday (November), and after new models launch (usually spring and fall). If you do not need a tablet when ready, waiting for one of these windows can save $50 to $200. Check the manufacturer's website to see when the next model is expected; older models usually drop in price within weeks.

Before you buy, check the price at three retailers: Best Buy, the manufacturer's website, and Amazon or Walmart. Prices change weekly, and the cheapest option shifts. Use a price-tracking tool like CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon) or Honey (for most retailers) to see whether the price you are seeing is actually a sale or the regular price. Many tablets listed as "on sale" are at their normal price.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which retailer has the best return policy?

Costco has the longest return window at 90 days and charges no restocking fee, but you need a membership. Best Buy and Walmart.com both offer 30 days with no restocking fee at Walmart. Amazon charges a 15 percent restocking fee. If you are unsure whether a tablet will work for you, Costco is the safest choice.

Is it safe to buy a tablet from eBay?

eBay is safe if you buy from a seller with a 98 percent or higher rating and at least 100 sales. Check the return policy before you bid — some sellers offer 30 days, others offer none. Avoid sellers who do not list the tablet's condition clearly or who have vague descriptions. New tablets from major retailers are usually cheaper and safer than used ones on eBay.

Should I buy a refurbished tablet or a new one?

Refurbished tablets are worth buying if you want to save 20 to 40 percent and do not mind that the device was returned once. They come with the same warranty as new tablets and have been tested. If the price difference is less than $50, buy new — the extra cost is worth the peace of mind that nobody else has owned it.

Do I need to buy a tablet from a carrier, or can I use Wi-Fi only?

You can use Wi-Fi only and buy from Best Buy, Amazon, or a manufacturer website instead. Carrier tablets cost more and lock you into a monthly plan. Buy from a carrier only if you need mobile data everywhere and are willing to pay $10 to $30 per month for it.

When is the best time to buy a tablet?

Prices drop during back-to-school (July to September), Black Friday (November), and within weeks after new models launch (usually spring and fall). If you do not need one when ready, waiting two to three months can save $50 to $150. Check the manufacturer's website to see when the next model is expected.